Wichita eagle., 1887-11-23
LIFE AT WEST POINT.
AN EX-CADET GIVES A FEW BITS OF
His EXPERIENCE.

+ t6rS-OaG
: My own experience on reporting at Yves
Point may be taken as a fair example of tn
way in which newcomers are treated. NJ
appointment required me to report to tn
aiiutant of the United States miiital1
academy Oh June II, and at Q o'clock On tha
day presented myself. The adjutant ex
amined my appointment papers, and sent m
over TO the hospital to stand my physical ex
animation.
At the hospital I was told to strip off al
: my clothing, and q board of surgeons pro
ceeded to examine me with q view TO ascer
tanning whether or not possessed the physi
cal qualifications necessary to enter tn
United States army. They made me hoy
across the floor or one foot and back on thu
other, weighed and measured me, tested nj
eyes and lungs, and finally sent me back Il
the adjutant with a sealed envelope con
tanning their verdict. The adjutant opened
the envelope and informed HE that I haG
been accepted He then sent ne over to the
barracks in charge Of an orderly. Right
there my trouble commenced. Thus far
had come in contace with regular army off
GERS only, and nothing had happened to i'm
pair my dignity or lessen MY self esteem, but
now was to he placed under cadet cor
pofai, and learn for the first time that BE-
tween plebas and yearlings there is a great
gulf fixed. On my arrival at the barracks
was met by two cadet officers, a sergeant and
G corporal, and the following conversation
ensued:
@Take off your hat, sir" said the corporal,
Sand hang it on the floor"
/ obeyed wondering if that was the only
hatrack Uncle Sam allowed his boys.
"What is your name, sir?" asked tie SER
geant.
"John Smith" answered
"Sir," said the sergeant, "sir, what do We
care whether your name is John or George
or Zachariah9 Now. sir, what is your name"
"Smith," SAID l.
"No, sir" said the corporal "your name is
not Smith, but Mr.. Smith, and remember to
put sir on when you peak to your superb
ors. Now, sir, what is your name.o
"Mr. Smith, sir" replied.
I thought all this was funny, and couldn't
repress a smile | was at once ordered to
| @stop that smiling" but. of course, smiled
only the harder.
| The corporal, a stout fellow nearly sig feet
| high, stepped up near to and directly il
| front Of NE, and STOPPING down nearly to
my shoes, jumped up sticking his nose in my
face. This maneUver surprised me SO com
pletely that l did not know what to do or
say.
Sir" he yelled at the top of his voice, do
you intend TO obey me?n
! felt tempted TO knock the fellow down,
| but not knowing whether or net he really
had any authority over me. | concluded that
prudence was the better part of valor, and
remained quiet, but was now so thoroughly
angry that no longer felt any inclination to
smile. After having deviled me to their
hearts content, these two cadet non-comnis-
stoned officers conducted me to the Office of
Cadet Lieut.. D., who had been detailed to
take charge of the new men.
"What is your narne, sir2' asked the lieu
tenant.
"Mr. Smith, sir" answered.
SWELL, Mr.. Smith, hold up your head, get
your heels together, drag in your chin. get
your shoulders back, and assume the position
of a soldier when you speak to me, sir"
"Now, sir" continued Lieut. D.. when
had assumed the position Of ii soldier, "do you
see that book up therel"
Eyes, sir" replied
swell, then, keep your eyes fastened on the
letter IL on the back Of that book while ask
you few questions, and don't you dare TO
lay your Shiny eyes on me, sir. Who is your
predecessor, sir!"
"His name is Jones'" answered.
"No, SIR" he yelled, chow dare you put
yourself on en- equality with All officer OF tbs
United States army and graduate of this in
stitution: Nj. Jones is your predecessor,
sir"
made haste to disclaim all intentions OF |
putting myself on an equality WITH Mr. |
jones ,
-" hat was your previous condition Of |
servitude, sirs' was the next question. / un- !
derstood by this that my questioGer wished /
TO know what had been my condition Of lie /
previous. to arriving at West Point, and SO
answered that had been farmers son.
Lieut.. D. then asked me- if I had any
pistols, bowie knives, confectionery or black |
ing. / confessed having a box of the latter
article IN my trunk, and was ordered TO turn
1t III TO him immediately. Cadets, | after
ward learned, are nos allowed to keep black
ing IN their rooms, but have their shoes
BACKED in the shoeblack's shop under the
barracks. When Lieut.. D had finished
Questioning NE, he assigned me TO the room
which was 10 occupy until had passed my
entrance examination. Every bov before |
being admitted into the academy must pass
two examinations, tie physical, which have
already described, and the academic The
academic examination generally lasts about ,
week. During that time the applicants for
admission, known officially as Candidates"
but called beasts by the cadets, are sub
]eated to every sort OF indigRity by the cadet
Officers. whose duty Il is TO protect them
The candidates that succeed il passing their
examinations become a6 once cadets Of the
fourth class, and are ne longer called beasts"
but for whoie year are known to their fell
low cadets as "plebes." Soon after their adj
nlittance the plebes are transferred to camp.
where the first and the third classes the
second always being absent On furloughl have
preceded tneEn, and where they are destined
to spend two months OF torment While in
camp the plebes are slaves to toe other class
men, ana spend great part Of their spare
time IN doing "merial service for their mas
tiers. "Meniai service" in cadet slang means
cleaning guns polishing waist plates, sewing
torn gloves bringing water or doing any odd
job that yeafiing ithiFd class NAM or FIRST
class man may want done
standing attention TO the other cadets
is considered by the plebes one Of the worst
nulSances that they have 70 endure When .
aver yeariing or first class man enters 8
pebe's tent Or speaks 20 him. the latter is ex-
pected TO strike a brace ana keep it until his
superior q gives him permission to stand at
sase
Cadets Of the first, second and third classes
all each other By uauls without the prefix
NJ hut Mr." the ..lebes atd make the
olehes "Mr.T them. This Is done 10 show the
ourtb class taat it is not tie equal Of the
'thers. -Ex-Csdes liz y. o. Times Democrat. !